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Event Partnerships Officer

Vacancy #:   6432
Unit:   Global Convenings and Events
Organisation:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:   Headquarters, Gland, Switzerland
Reporting to:   Director, Global Convenings and Events / Congress Director
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   P2
Expected start date:   01 January 2024
Type of contract:   Max-term (24 months with possibility of renewal)
Closing date:   04 June 2023
BACKGROUND
The Event Partnerships Officer will coordinate, design and implement a Resource Mobilization strategy to secure all funds to covers costs directly related to the delivery of IUCN Events such as the quadrennial IUCN World Conservation Congress, the annual Leaders Forum, and other external key events.

1. The IUCN World Conservation Congress

Every 4 years, the World Conservation Congress brings together several thousand participants for a 7-day event, including 3.5 day for IUCN Members’ Assembly, preceded by a 3.5 days Forum with several hundred events open to the general public. The Congress also includes an exhibit hall open to the general public, allowing exhibitors to showcase their research, innovations and other work to the broadest Congress audience. At previous Congresses, the exhibition was between 10-11’000m2, featuring up to 150 small, medium and large stands. In addition, several central open presentation areas, or “central stages” accommodating up to 150 people are included in the Exhibition Zone.
Host countries ensure coverage of approximately 60% of the Congress costs (mostly onsite) either directly or by finding sponsors. The Host Country and date of the 2025 Congress will be decided by the IUCN Council in May 2023.

The Event Partnerships Officer will be responsible for actively mobilising support and funds for the Congress to cover the costs which are not covered by the Host Country (mostly pre- and post-Congress costs). The fundraising target for the Congress 2025 (IUCN target only) is estimated at CHF 6 million. The Event Partnership Officer will report to the Head of Global Convenings and Events Unit and work closely with the Global Strategic Partnerships Unit, the Business engagement Unit, the Global Communications Team and the Directors of IUCN Programme teams. The incumbent will also work closely with the Host Country Focal Point and the Professional Congress Organizer (PCO) who will be responsible for the exhibition sales and management services.

2. IUCN Leaders Forum
IUCN has initiated an annual meeting which complement the 4-year cycle of the World Conservation Congress with more regular inputs into the international agenda. These meetings, focusing on an invitation list with a view to convening approximately 500 participants, are hosted by different host countries or institutions from the Congress itself.

The Event Partnerships Officer is tasked with mobilizing resources from both public and private sector entities. An annual fundraising target is set by the Head of Unit, based on the budget allocated by Senior management.

3. Other Global Events
IUCN organises multiple events with varying frequencies and scales. The Event Partnerships Officer may be required to help design sponsorship opportunities and marketing material for these.

For all IUCN Events, the Events Partnerships Officer will identify, target and establish contacts with potential institutional, private sector, philanthropic, and individual sponsors for based on:
• Events themes and objectives
• The IUCN Business Engagement Strategy and the Operational Guidelines for Private Sector Engagement.
• Synergies between sponsors/donors and IUCN.
• Clear understanding with Host Country on roles and responsibilities related to resource mobilization/ on common and respective approach to prospective sponsors/donors.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Event Partnerships Officer will design and implement a Resource Mobilisation Strategy to secure all funds to cover costs directly related to the delivery of the Events.

More specifically, he/she will:
o Design a Sponsorship Recognition Programme which can be customized for each sponsor.
o Work with the IUCN Global Communications team on the content, design and branding of marketing materials for potential sponsors.
o Identify potential sponsors for the Congress, Leaders Forum and other IUCN events, carry out due diligence assessments and develop customized sponsorship offers to qualified targets to secure the funding (unrestricted and restricted).
o Prepare and negotiate contracts with confirmed sponsors in collaboration with IUCN Office of the Legal Adviser including internal sign-off, ensuring with different internal departments that IUCN deliverables can indeed be met as per the requirements in the contract;
o Work with colleagues from the Global Convenings and Events team on the design and layout of the exhibits.
o Work with the PCO or responsible organization on the sales of exhibits.
o Track all new and existing sponsorship and exhibit sales, prepare regular pacing reports, and maintain a list or database of sponsors (successful and unsuccessful) including points of contact, status and key metrics on each.
o Arrange, document and follow up to meetings internally and with partners, donors and sponsors to define and periodically review partnership goals, activities and achievements.
o Ensure donor and sponsor needs are met, manage partnerships toward success for both parties, and ensure that sponsors and donors receive appropriate recognition before, during and after the Events.
o Maintain an updated calendar of relevant partner events at local and international levels.
o Coordinate the implementation of sponsor driven activities associated with IUCN Events.
o Deliver progress and final reports to donors and sponsors, as required by each specific contract.
o Prepare final post-Events report on success of sponsorship strategy including identification of efficiencies and challenges in the sponsorship process.
o Maintain records of ongoing and prospective partnerships and related agreements and information material.
o Ensure coordination with IUCN thematic and regional Programmes and National Committees.
o Provide support to the Convenings team in other areas as necessary.

The above job description contains the main duties and responsibilities for this position. However, in an organization such as IUCN, staff members are expected to show flexibility in their approach to work and be willing to undertake other tasks that are reasonably allocated to them but which are not part of the regular job description.
REQUIREMENTS
  • 10+ years of working, including experience in event sponsorship, corporate sponsorship, sales and/or fundraising.

• Motivation to lead events sponsorship activities (in collaboration with the Strategic Partnerships Unit and Business Engagement Units which coordinates IUCN’s overall engagement with donors).

• Experience in organizing large conferences, seminars, workshops or other meetings or events.

• Proven track record of reaching fundraising targets and successfully building and maintaining relationships with sponsors.

• Excellent presentation skills as well as outstanding oral and written communication skills in English and French. Spanish competency a plus.

• Team player with can-do attitude and ability to interact with people of all levels and business areas.

• Excellent negotiation skills.

• Availability and capacity to work with activity peaks.

• Understanding of IUCN and environmental community highly desirable.

• Ability to travel regularly (10-20% of the time out of the office) and availability to travel to the events when required.
SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is between CHF 100'355 and CHF 125'444, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax. While this is an indicative amount effective as of the current date, changes may occur as per IUCN's compensation practices without prior notice. The same applies to other organisations hosted by IUCN.
APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/


About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

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